Apparatus for producing dry gas from liquid



Feb. 19, 1935. M, MURRAY 7 1,991,568

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING DRY GAS FROM LIQUID Filed Jan. 23, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR,

ATTORNEYs.

Feb. 19, 1935. M, R MURRAY 1,991,568

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING DRY GAS FROM LIQUID Filed Jan. 25, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheef 2 yzm ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 19, 193% UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING DRY GAS FROM LIQUID 7 Martin R. Murray, Kansas City, Mo. Application January 23, 1933, Serial No. 653,116

4 Claims. (01. 261-121) This invention relates to gas producing appaan air compressor 8 by a driving belt 10. Comratus, and the primary object of this invention is pressor 8 maintains air in storage tank 12 and the provision of novelly constructed equipment a pressure gauge 14 will indicate the pressure for the production of dry gas from liquid hydrobuilt up in said tank. From tank 12 the air carbon that not only allows the continuous prounder pressure passes to a pressure reducing 5 duction of dry gas, but produces a large volume valve 16 by way of pipe 18and when valve 20 is of the same by utilizing a comparatively few open. This pressure reducing valve 16 may be number of parts whereby a gas usable as a fuel of the diaphragm type and should be set so that may be economically made. a relatively low pressure of approximately eight One of the primary objects of this invention ounces is maintained in the system from va v 10 is the provision of unique means for intermixing 16 on to e-P pe 22 whi leads to y Point of liquid hydrocarbon and air, said means being consumptionassociated with a combined conditioning and A ve 24 in this p p line y be s d if collecting reservoir having therein a dehydrator desired. A ga 26 Will d ca a y fluct at which removes all moisture from the hydrocaro p s w ch mi t ta p a beyond p 15 bonized air prior to its being released into the sure re u n v lv 16 a d it is m this au supply means, 26 that pipe 28 leads to the novel mixing tank One of the important aims of the instant in- 3 is mixing ta is ns u t d as sp ifivention is the contemplation of specially con- Cally shown in and means is Provided in structed and unique mixing equipment which the same for thoroughly saturating the air passwill handle in an effective manner, a liquid hying therethroll h w t ydro s satdrocarban and air undeppressure so that; one uration takes place to the extent that a compassage of the air through the plant will create bustible gas of high q y is produceda supply of gas having the property of SO-Called Gasoline or other suitable liquid hydrocarbon natural is maintained in storage tank 32 and introduced 5 Minor objects of the invention, including deinto mixing tank through e um of a tails of construction, will appear during the conduit 34, valved as at 36. It is preferred that course of the following specification, referring to conduit 34 enter mixing tank 3 a pp a the accompanying drawings, wherein buta single 1y r h i s l h b w h p f he 30 embodiment of the invention is shown, and tahk- As Shown in s- 2, conduit 34 terminates 30 wherein; 7 just inside the wall of mixing tank 30. The

Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view of a gas prointerior tank 30 is Provided With an inner ducing plant constructed to embody the features 38, the Walls of which are of this inventi pletely spaced from the inner face of the walls 35 Fig. 2 is a vertical, central section through the of tank 30 y supports 42 and Such dis- 35 mixing nd conditioning t k of t plant position creates outer compartment between Fig, 3 is a cro e ti taken on 11 m m of inner compartment 38 and the inner face of the Fig, 2, and, walls of tank 30, and it is into this compart- Fig. 4 is a similar section, but taken on line ment that the liquid hydrocarbon is lead y 40 IVIV of Fig. 2. conduit 34. 40

It must be understood that various forms of Pipe 28 enters tank 30 near the bottom thereof devices might be employed in creating a gas and terminates as shown in Fig. 2 so that only making system for'the production of dry gas ina small quantity of air suflicient to form a comaccordance with this invention and that but one p ss d air ushion at th t p w nt m system is herein specifically set forth. ment 40. In order to supply liquid hydrocarbon 45 This method and apparatus for producing dry to the interior of inner compartment 38 and to gas is particularly adapted for utilizing gasoline supply air to this compartment as well, this in-' and it is due to the proper intermixing of gasovention contemplates the use of a supply pipe line and air that a valuable gas is created. In a 46, which connects with pipe 28 just outside of system contemplated, there must be means for tank 30 and leads through the wall thereof at a 50 establishing and maintaining a flow'of air under point substantially diametrically opposite to the a given and predetermined constant pressure. connection of pipe 28 with said tank 30 and Meanswhereby this might be accomplished is thence through compartment 40 and into inner clearly shown in Fig. 1, and may consist of an compartment 38. Thus when an equal pressure 66 electrically driven motor 6 that it connected to is established throughout the parts of the systo tem, liquid hydrocarbon will flow from storage tank 32 through conduit 34 and into compartment 40, from whence it will flow through supply pipe 46 and into inner compartment 38.

During the operation of the system and when the valves are opened and set for such operation, supply pipe 46 is directly in communication with and interconnects both compartment 40 and inner tank 38 and thereby tends to keep-filled with gasoline. Air from pipe 28 cannot flow into compartment '40 because this compartment is completely closed, excepting for the gasoline supply pipe 34 and because tank 32 is of suflicient height, air cannot bubble back through this tank. Consequently, the air entering through pipe 28 flows through pipe 46 in bubbles and then through the gasoline in the inner tank, hence through the dehydrator 56 in reservoir 48 to the point of use, which is reached. by pipe 22. Air pressure in the top of compartment 40 is equal to the air pressure'in -pipe 28, minus the head of liquid in compartment 40. This pressure nor-- mally holds back the flow from tank 32. How-.

ever, as the gasoline is vaporized, its surface in compartment 40 is lowered to a point beneath the entrance of pipe 34. Upon such lowering more asoline will flow from tank 32 to raise the level in compartment 40 and hold the air in a compressed state between the surface of thegasoline and the top of outer tank 30.

A drain plug 50 may be provided at the bottom of tank 30. Connectors 52 join the lowermost part of reservoir 48 with the uppermost part of inner compartment 38 and it is through these connectors 52 that the hydrocarbonized air passes. A screen 54 positioned a slight distance above the bottom of reservoir 48 divides the reservoir into two compartments, i. e.,upper and lower compartments and will allow a spreading of the moist gas so that the full eflect of the dehydrant 56 might be realized. This-dehydrator rests upon screen 54 and may consist of brass or copper cuttings, steel wool, asbestos-or any other substance that will have a dehydrating effect to the extent of removing the moisture from the gas as it passes into reservoir 48 through connectors 52. A filler opening 58, capped as shown, should be formed in the side of reservoir 48, and this reservoir should be of sufficient size to serve as a collecting means for the conditioned dry gas that is ready for use; From the upper part of this reservoir 48 the dry gas is drawn and sent to the point of consumption through the aforementioned pipe 22.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to .be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a gas generating device, an outer tank closed at its top; an inner tank having an outlet for gaseous fuel near its top, within and spaced from said outer tank; an inlet pipe for liquid fuel leading into said outer tank, and having its outlet spaced from the top of said outer tank; conduit means connecting the lower portions of said inner and outer tanks; and means-for supplying air under pressure coupled to the said conduit means.

2. In a gas'generating device, an outer tank closed at its top; an inner tank having an outlet for gaseous fuel near its top, withinand spaced from said outer tank; an inlet pipe for liquid fuel leading into. said outer tank, and having its outlet spaced from the top of said outer tank; conduit means connecting the lower portions of said inner and outer tank; and means'i'or supplying air under pressure coupled to the said conduitmeans, said conduit means joining the said inner- ..and outer tanks at diametrically opposite points of connection.

3. In a gas generating device, an outer. tank closed at its top; andnner tank having an outlet for gaseous fuel near its top within and spaced from said outer tank; an inlet pipe for liquid fuel leading into said outer tankand having its out- Ietspaced from the top of said outer tank; conduit means connecting the lower portions of said inner and outer tanks; means for supplying air under pressure coupled to the said conduit means;

a reservoir, having a dehydrator therein above.

said inner tank; and means interconnecting said inner tank and reservoir.

4. In a gas generating-device, anouter tank closed at its top; an inner tank having an outlet,

for gaseous fuel near its top within and spaced from said outer tank; an inlet pipe for liquid fuel leading into said outer tank and hearing its outlet spaced from the top of said outertank; conduit means connecting the lower portions of said inner and outer tanks; means for supplying air under pressure coupled to the said conduit means; a reservoir, having a dehydrator therein above said inner' tank; a transverse screen dividing said reservoir into two compartments; and means interconnecting said inner tank and reservoir.

MARTIN R. MURRAY. 

